History of Henry VIII

[Enter Chancellor; places himself at the upper end]
[p]of the table on the left hand; a seat being left
[p]void above him, as for CRANMER's seat. SUFFOLK,
[p]NORFOLK, SURREY, Chamberlain, GARDINER, seat
[p]themselves in order on each side. CROMWELL at
[p]lower end, as secretary. Keeper at the door]

Lord Chancellor. Speak to the business, master-secretary:
Why are we met in council?

Lord Chancellor. My good lord archbishop, I'm very sorry
To sit here at this present, and behold
That chair stand empty: but we all are men,
In our own natures frail, and capable
Of our flesh; few are angels: out of which frailty
3070And want of wisdom, you, that best should teach us,
Have misdemean'd yourself, and not a little,
Toward the king first, then his laws, in filling
The whole realm, by your teaching and your chaplains,
For so we are inform'd, with new opinions,
3075Divers and dangerous; which are heresies,
And, not reform'd, may prove pernicious.

Gardiner. Which reformation must be sudden too,
My noble lords; for those that tame wild horses
Pace 'em not in their hands to make 'em gentle,
3080But stop their mouths with stubborn bits, and spur 'em,
Till they obey the manage. If we suffer,
Out of our easiness and childish pity
To one man's honour, this contagious sickness,
Farewell all physic: and what follows then?
3085Commotions, uproars, with a general taint
Of the whole state: as, of late days, our neighbours,
The upper Germany, can dearly witness,
Yet freshly pitied in our memories.

Archbishop Cranmer. My good lords, hitherto, in all the progress
3090Both of my life and office, I have labour'd,
And with no little study, that my teaching
And the strong course of my authority
Might go one way, and safely; and the end
Was ever, to do well: nor is there living,
3095I speak it with a single heart, my lords,
A man that more detests, more stirs against,
Both in his private conscience and his place,
Defacers of a public peace, than I do.
Pray heaven, the king may never find a heart
3100With less allegiance in it! Men that make
Envy and crooked malice nourishment
Dare bite the best. I do beseech your lordships,
That, in this case of justice, my accusers,
Be what they will, may stand forth face to face,
3105And freely urge against me.

Duke of Suffolk. Nay, my lord,
That cannot be: you are a counsellor,
And, by that virtue, no man dare accuse you.

Gardiner. My lord, because we have business of more moment,
3110We will be short with you. 'Tis his highness' pleasure,
And our consent, for better trial of you,
From hence you be committed to the Tower;
Where, being but a private man again,
You shall know many dare accuse you boldly,
3115More than, I fear, you are provided for.

Archbishop Cranmer. Ah, my good Lord of Winchester, I thank you;
You are always my good friend; if your will pass,
I shall both find your lordship judge and juror,
You are so merciful: I see your end;
3120'Tis my undoing: love and meekness, lord,
Become a churchman better than ambition:
Win straying souls with modesty again,
Cast none away. That I shall clear myself,
Lay all the weight ye can upon my patience,
3125I make as little doubt, as you do conscience
In doing daily wrongs. I could say more,
But reverence to your calling makes me modest.

Cromwell. My Lord of Winchester, you are a little,
By your good favour, too sharp; men so noble,
However faulty, yet should find respect
For what they have been: 'tis a cruelty
3135To load a falling man.

Gardiner. Good master secretary,
I cry your honour mercy; you may, worst
Of all this table, say so.

Lord Chancellor. Then thus for you, my lord: it stands agreed,
I take it, by all voices, that forthwith
3155You be convey'd to the Tower a prisoner;
There to remain till the king's further pleasure
Be known unto us: are you all agreed, lords?

Archbishop Cranmer. Stay, good my lords,
3170I have a little yet to say. Look there, my lords;
By virtue of that ring, I take my cause
Out of the gripes of cruel men, and give it
To a most noble judge, the king my master.

Duke of Suffolk. 'Tis the right ring, by heaven: I told ye all,
When ye first put this dangerous stone a-rolling,
'Twould fall upon ourselves.

Duke of Norfolk. Do you think, my lords,
3180The king will suffer but the little finger
Of this man to be vex'd?

Lord Chancellor. 'Tis now too certain:
How much more is his life in value with him?
Would I were fairly out on't!
3185

Cromwell. My mind gave me,
In seeking tales and informations
Against this man, whose honesty the devil
And his disciples only envy at,
Ye blew the fire that burns ye: now have at ye!
3190

[Enter KING, frowning on them; takes his seat]

Gardiner. Dread sovereign, how much are we bound to heaven
In daily thanks, that gave us such a prince;
Not only good and wise, but most religious:
One that, in all obedience, makes the church
3195The chief aim of his honour; and, to strengthen
That holy duty, out of dear respect,
His royal self in judgment comes to hear
The cause betwixt her and this great offender.

Henry VIII. You were ever good at sudden commendations,
3200Bishop of Winchester. But know, I come not
To hear such flattery now, and in my presence;
They are too thin and bare to hide offences.
To me you cannot reach, you play the spaniel,
And think with wagging of your tongue to win me;
3205But, whatsoe'er thou takest me for, I'm sure
Thou hast a cruel nature and a bloody.
[To CRANMER]Good man, sit down. Now let me see the proudest
He, that dares most, but wag his finger at thee:
3210By all that's holy, he had better starve
Than but once think this place becomes thee not.

Henry VIII. No, sir, it does not please me.
I had thought I had had men of some understanding
3215And wisdom of my council; but I find none.
Was it discretion, lords, to let this man,
This good man,—few of you deserve that title,—
This honest man, wait like a lousy footboy
At chamber—door? and one as great as you are?
3220Why, what a shame was this! Did my commission
Bid ye so far forget yourselves? I gave ye
Power as he was a counsellor to try him,
Not as a groom: there's some of ye, I see,
More out of malice than integrity,
3225Would try him to the utmost, had ye mean;
Which ye shall never have while I live.

Lord Chancellor. Thus far,
My most dread sovereign, may it like your grace
To let my tongue excuse all. What was purposed
3230Concerning his imprisonment, was rather,
If there be faith in men, meant for his trial,
And fair purgation to the world, than malice,
I'm sure, in me.

Henry VIII. Well, well, my lords, respect him;
3235Take him, and use him well, he's worthy of it.
I will say thus much for him, if a prince
May be beholding to a subject, I
Am, for his love and service, so to him.
Make me no more ado, but all embrace him:
3240Be friends, for shame, my lords! My Lord of
Canterbury,
I have a suit which you must not deny me;
That is, a fair young maid that yet wants baptism,
You must be godfather, and answer for her.
3245

Archbishop Cranmer. The greatest monarch now alive may glory
In such an honour: how may I deserve it
That am a poor and humble subject to you?

Henry VIII. Come, come, my lord, you'ld spare your spoons: you
shall have two noble partners with you; the old
3250Duchess of Norfolk, and Lady Marquess Dorset: will
these please you?
Once more, my Lord of Winchester, I charge you,
Embrace and love this man.

Henry VIII. Good man, those joyful tears show thy true heart:
The common voice, I see, is verified
3260Of thee, which says thus, 'Do my Lord of Canterbury
A shrewd turn, and he is your friend for ever.'
Come, lords, we trifle time away; I long
To have this young one made a Christian.
As I have made ye one, lords, one remain;
3265So I grow stronger, you more honour gain.